The prolonged dry spell in Kashmir is set to conclude as the Meteorological Department forecasts rain and snowfall ahead of Chille Kalan. From December 18 to 19, the region will see partly to generally cloudy skies, with isolated, very light snowfall over the higher reaches of North and Central Kashmir.
An official from the Meteorological Department stated that a stronger western disturbance is expected to influence the weather from the night of December 20 to December 21. This system will bring light to moderate snowfall across higher elevations and light to moderate rain in several plains across Jammu and Kashmir.
The forecast for December 22 predicts cloudy conditions with sporadic rain or snowfall. Between December 23 and 29, residents can expect partly to generally cloudy weather. Furthermore, December 30 and 31 may bring generally cloudy skies and potential light snowfall at some isolated heights.
The Meteorological Department has issued an advisory indicating that certain higher regions, specifically in Kupwara, Bandipora, and Ganderbal districts, might encounter moderate to heavy snowfall, particularly on December 21. Travelers and transporters are urged to plan their journeys cautiously and adhere to local traffic and administrative advisories.
Amid these predictions, temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir have largely remained above normal. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 10.6°C, about 1.2°C above average, with a minimum settling at 0.2°C. Similarly, Gulmarg registered a maximum temperature of 8.8°C, nearly 4°C above the normal, with a minimum of 1.6°C.
In the northern region, Kupwara logged a maximum temperature of 10.8°C and a minimum of -1.0°C. Pahalgam recorded 11.2°C for maximum and 0.4°C for minimum temperatures, while Qazigund observed 13.0°C with a minimum at 0.8°C.
In the Jammu region, the city itself experienced a maximum temperature of 22.3°C and a minimum of 11.0°C. The Meteorological Department confirmed that no rainfall occurred across any station in the last 24 hours.
